I am pleased to advise that the Personnel Handbook has been updated, as at March 2003, and is now available on the Premier's Department website - www.dpc.nsw.gov.au

The updated version reflects:

• the new Crown Employees (Conditions of Employment) Award made in December 2002;
• amendments to the Crown Employees (Transferred Employees Compensation) Award;
• the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 and the supporting regulations; and
• the changed provisions relating to 'Fitness to Continue Assessment Procedures' that were issued as Premier's Memorandum 2001-11.

The rates for a number of Allowances that are payable to public sector employees are set out in Chapter 7 of the Handbook. It should be noted that the rates for the Allowances are current as at March 2003. Some of these allowances may vary in July 2003, in line with the next salary increase (ie 5%) payable under the current MOU on pay increases. A separate Circular will be issued advising agencies of the new rates and the relevant operative dates.

The new Conditions of Employment Award and the varied Transferred Employees Compensation Award are contained in Chapter 10 of the Handbook. You will also notice that we have included a copy of the Crown Employees (Major and Community Events Reassignment) Award in this Chapter. This award has been modelled on the conditions that applied to staff reassigned during the Olympics and Paralympics. This award sets out the terms and conditions that apply to staff who are 'reassigned' to work with organisations planning and staging major or community events such as the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

The 'Updates' tab of the Handbook on the website contains more details of the changes.

Inquiries concerning the Handbook should be referred to your agency's client contact officer.

(signed)

C Gellatly
Director-General

Issued : Public Sector Management Office
Contact: Cathryn Hellams
EMail: [email protected]
Telephone no: 9228 3531 Facsimile: 9228 4056
File no: PSM/04873
Date: 30 June 2003
This circular does not supersede any other Memorandum/Circular